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Upper Arlington’s new school superintendent is no stranger to central Ohio.

Paul Imhoff, who leads the 1,600-student Mariemont schools near Cincinnati, graduated from
Watkins Memorial High School in the Southwest Licking school district and has relatives in the
area. Upper Arlington has about 5,600 students.

“This is a homecoming for us,” Imhoff said in an interview.

District officials announced the hiring yesterday; the school board is to vote on Imhoff’s
contract tonight. His base pay is to be $165,000 — about $9,000 less than Superintendent Jeff
Weaver is paid.

A copy of the contract was not available yesterday. Imhoff, 44, said he is paid $141,000 at
Mariemont. He is to start on July 1.

Weaver, who is retiring at the end of the school year, has a base salary of $174,389, but
benefits boost his total compensation to $243,813.

Board President Robert Arkin said in a statement that Imhoff brings impressive credentials. He
has led Mariemont since 2007 and previously served as superintendent of Madeira schools near
Cincinnati.

Imhoff also is on the national governing board of the American Association of School
Administrators and is vice chairman of the Alliance for High Quality Education.

“We believe his experience and leadership style will assure that our school system maintains its
tradition of excellence and continues on its path as a nationally recognized 21st-century
lighthouse district,” Arkin said.

Imhoff said his priority as he moves into his role is meeting students and members of the staff
and community to better understand the district’s culture and traditions. He plans to create a plan
with the school board for his first 100 days in the district that will include goals and outcomes.
The district’s financial outlook will be a large part of the conversation, Imhoff said. District
leaders are considering budget cuts after a levy defeat last fall.

“I’ve been in a very good position,” Imhoff said. “It was going to take a fabulous opportunity
for me to move, and Upper Arlington is certainly that fabulous opportunity.”

Upper Arlington is the latest Franklin County district to hire a new leader. Westerville
recently tapped John Kellogg, a South-Western schools assistant superintendent. Columbus, Dublin,
Hilliard and Whitehall are looking to replace retiring superintendents.